Train-indication system



- Dec. 4, 192s.

G. c. WHITNEY TRAIN INDICATION SYSTEM Fil'ed May 29. 1925 JUL n'iust be sect Patented Dec, l, 13.923.

t Esistono ottenne* o. wiirrnn, on new Yoan, n. Y.

iippiieaiion sieri iviay 29, 192,5. serial in). 33,731.

This invention relates to train indication s 'steins in `o 'eneral and has oarticular roten i i i ence to indicatingv the pi 'rees or railway tra-ins especially, tiiougli not exclusiyelygon a railroad which requires that both ot the track rails be electricallycontinuous tor the ret-urn of the propulsion current but which finalized to permit-and provide for the operation ot a block signaling" systein.

This presentapplicaL cion is a coiitinuation, in part, .of niy pendin``3 applic tions Serial No. 702,262, tiled lilarcn 2l', 192i, which has nia-cured into Patent lilo. 1,596,222, August 17, 1926, and Serial No. 8,401, tiled lFebruary 11, 1925, which has matured into Patent No. 1,596,223,datedri si: 1'1", 1926; both "ior train indication syst l ln inyapplication, vSerial lilo. 702,262, l have disclosed ,a train indication system wherein one/,oit the track rai-ls ot a track section sectionalized by insulated rail joints loca-ted at predetermined poiiitsto perinit the working ot a signal systein while theothcr rail is. maintained electrically continuous for the return of the propulsion current, iny :ppplic on, Serial No. 8,4101, l havedisclosed a train indication system asinstalled in non.- signalled 'territory and wherein both track rails are maintained electri lly continuous :tor the return o'l' the propulsion current.

ln this present applicatoii l disclose liny invention, using the principles disclosed in ii'iy previously i'eierred to applications, as installed on a railroad both oi' the rails o which are section alized to perniit the working o1? a signal systein but also n ade electrically continuous tor the return ot the propulsion current iii-oni track section to track section by incans ot' impedance bonds, all hereinatt/er explained. i

The general objects o'lttliis invention are to provide iiieans to indicate the position and progre ot trains on the type ot track cir cuit l ,I iiiiilications into clicco without inoviiigv parts. Another object is to provide a ineans to au; toiiiat-ically shift thel pliaserelation ot track circuitcurrents and iiiithout inoiiing` parts other thantlie moving' train on said track circuit.

l have provided the accompanyingdrawd to clearly illustrate niy invention and, to the extent possible, l have iised the saine reference characters indicatinfg'siniilar parts as were used in iny prior applications, hereino;

dated described aboveand to carry said iiibeifore mentioned, and it is presuined that reterence'will be had to said applications.

Referring to the drawing, a track sect-ion consisting oit track rails 6" and '7 is show-ii set apart by insulated track rail joints S, .8, Sb andSc. At one end of said track section a track transtornieiyl is shown connected to track rails 6, ,by ineans ot track wires l() and 11 and resista-nce, 12. Transformer 9`is theniediuni, wheirenerg'ized by ineans of wires 14 and 15 troni power wires 16 and 17, connected to the source of energy alternator by` which `appropriatep current supply7 when a train is not presenthis'transmitted Via track'rails 6 7 to track wires 19 and 2O to winding-23 of relayu2e1. linding 25 of relay 2l receives energyby ineans ot wires 2G and 27 troni poweixwires 16 and 17. At the ends oi said track section l show iiii y"pedance bonds 13 and 2l connected between trackrailslt and?. Both bonds have a cenn tertapconnection 13?*4 and 21% respectively which serve as the ineans whereby trackrails GV and `7, ot acenttrack rail sections, are nade electrically continuousvfor the return oi the propulsion current roin trac-ksection to track section. Relay 2lis the inediuin, by Aineansro't Contact 28,'whereby the autoniatic workingl oia blocksignal system (not shown) by the train isy carried int-o effect. lt will be observed tiatll have not shown a block signal systenii and thisisbecause the saineis unnecessary to a proper understand ingl ot this invention-tor the saine reason l have only shown one track -scctioii--biit it will be understood that adjacent track sectionsxiiiill be constituted siniilar to the track section described herein,V The track circuit ou lined above is the well-known two-rail trackwcircuitas used` on electrifiedrailways,

whether the propulsion current loe direct currentor alternating current.

lnipedance bondslo and21 consist of a i'ew turnsoiE comparatively heayy copper conductor, inoiinted on a'inagneticI circuit and `torni a path oit low ohniicresistancebetween track rails (i and?, Each/bond ispqroif'ided with a centre tap connexetion13a and 212L res,pectively,-` at, which tap Apoints connection isniade to the corresponding centre tap. points ot the bonds `torthe adjacent tracksections. rl`lie turns are so arranged that, when equal qiiantiticsotcurrent loiwfioni each track rail and ot one track section Via the centre tap to track rails 6 and ot an ad-v jacent track rail section no magnetic flux is set up in the magnetic circuit-in other words, the. nnegnetic flux set up by current troni tinck ruil 6 to the centre tap is neutrnlized by the mugnetic tlui: set up by current from track rail 7, end vice versn. Them however, current tions i'rom traine-former 9 the centre tup is not involved und the path of current 110W in bond 13 is 'from tinck uil 6 to track ruil 77 or vice versn, es will be appreciated, und, therefore, bonds 18 and 21 constitute o path of low ohinic resistance for tinck circuit operating current from trensiornicr 9. The puth ol' low ohmic resistance rin bonds 13 and 21 is in :r'escd many tiines by virtue oif the magnetic field surrounding;l bonds 13 and 21 and according to the well-known laws of induction, :i coinpnretirely high impedance to the passage of elternntinel current by the niognetic fini; is set up in said magnetic circuit. impedance bonds 18 and 21, therefore, do not constitute n path corresponding to short circuit conditions on the truck sections.

My present invention consists in inductively coupling` the indication system or my `)rior application Serial No. 7025262,` which hes nie.- tured into Patent No. 1,596,2227 dated August 17, 1926, to the track circuit in the following; manner z-A magnetic circuit 4.3 hevingf winding; ist is connected to track Wires 10 :ind 11 hy ineens of Wires 45 and i5 und, when the track section is not occupied by a tinin7 Windingsie receive-s cui ent from t 'enei'ormer 9. The Flow ot current in Windingr /l-i is such to produce n` magnetic fiux in mep;- netic ci fcuit i3 in the relative direction of arrow 51. Mounted on the magnetic circuit 48 l show n. 'Winding' 45T which is included in e circuit which includes Windin ot inductive coupling B1-this circuit being coinpleted bythe Wires 48, 49 and 50, end receiving` current from trensiormer 9. The dow of current in Wind-ing` l? ie such. is to produce n nnig'netic flux in magnetic circuit in the sinne rclntire direction that produced by windingi` idf-that is, in the relative direction of arrow 51. Owing to the .tuch that current flow in winrflinos il and 47 produce u i'iux in the sinne direction (when e trein is not present on 'the trecl section) in inefinetic circuit 3S?, windings sind et? mutually huild up n magnetic lield in nniirnciic circuit 42E lund thus rd the i'ifirliv of current in ouch other windf A; is thus prevented, under these conditiona trom formino` o louv impedonce path on truck section :ind transformer 9 l here explained tl zit Wirflinn B5 of in dnctii'e coupling; Esiincluded in a circuit which receives current supply 'from trenetormer inductively coupled to Winding' show Winding; 36 and the. current induced by Winding' into Winding' is conducted Sie transmission Wires i end 38 to und flows through Winding O of inductive couplingl 39.

Inductirely coupled to winding eli() is shown winding i1 und connected thereto is shown ind icotion device (in this instance o. suitable incendescent lzunp) 42, From the foregoing it will is provided by virtue ol the trein cer Wheel, in con ct with tre. .k rails 6 and i, terminen shunt on transformer 9v as will he opprec'nnd. By the oct of forming); n, shunt on trenefoin er 9 u shunt also 'formed on winding #ist hut the shunt on Winding lli is more complete than the effect oi' seid shunt is on transformer 9 (because resistance 12 is included in the `shunt on transformer 9) enc the current supply from. transformer 9 to Said Winding 414i is reduced. As u result of the reiiluction in current flow in Winding 414: the magnetic ilu): in magnetic circuit i8 is re duced. Gonsequent upon the reduction in iux increased current AHows from transioriner 9 through Winding 47 end tends to rethe tim: Vin seid magnetic circuit +13. @wine to the tact that Winiilino; of induce tire coupling 311 is included in the circuit 'which includes Winding;- et? increased current is induced from windingv to Windingr 3G end transmitted via. Wires 87 and 38 end censos increzieed current supply to tow to in.- dicution device lmnp l2 and this results in seid lem-p beine' illuminated und accepted es en. indication ns to the position of the trein at the (normal) ent-rence and of the track section. i

As the trein i cecds through the track section. in the direction oi the orron', itsA movement will ne evidenced ut indication device lomp 4:2 hy increased lnillinncy. Suid increased hrilliuncg-,fY is brought about by virtue of the tact thaty the cnr Wheel movement :doi-ip; tinck rziiis (S eind gradually cuts out the tinck rail r fence included in the cui' wl cl shunt on 'windir 'li thus responsivcly mul "-i Seid shunt more eflc tire. l According: es seid .fs'nunw liciifoincs more eiiiectiie loes c'urzent from ti ns'tornier 9 Hows rie winding' Lili which results in lessened flu); density in core #i3 end thereafter increased current flows from transformer 9 yin, Wt inns 17 en d 9,5 with attendent increoeed induced currentl simply to lomp ii2 all es hereinhetore ei:- nL ined. Y

Impedance bond 13. in addition to providii'ic; ineens for the returno'f the propulsion current from trzicl-z section to treck section,

on electrified railroads as hereiiibefore described, also provides a mea-ns to limit the variation in 'the value of current supplied to.

with the car-wheel shunt at the left end of the track section the shunt on winding 44 is two ohms because of' the two ohms resistance ot the included track rails-when the car-wheel shunt has proceeded one fourth of the distance through the section the value ot the' shunt on winding 44 will be one and onehal':t ohms because of the resistance oi? thetrack rails then y included in the slnint-siinilarly, it will be clear that the value of the car-wheel shunt on winding 44 will be one ohm with the car-wheel shunt at the half-way point,`onehalf ohm when the car-wheel shunt is at the three-'quarter point and sol on until the car-wheel shunt reaches the right end of the track section when the shunt jon Vwinding 44y can be considered to be ashort circuit; in other words, it may be expressed that the variation, as the car proceeds through the track section, tollows a straight line law. Now, consider that bond 13 of, say two ohms resistance, is connected in multiple as shown and with values of two ohms rail resistance as before ;'i`n this case with the car-wheel shunt of negligible resistance at theleft endoi' the track section the value *of the vcar-wheel shunt on winding 44 willbe theresult ot two ohms rail resistance in multiple with two ohms bond 13 resistance which is one ohm; when the carwheel shunt reaches the quarter way mark the value of the car-wheel shunt on winding 44 will obviously be the result of one and one-v -halt ohms rail resistancein multiple with two ohms bondr 13 resistance which is 6/7 ohm; continuing, similarly, it will be'evideiitY that at the halt' way point the value ot the shunt on` winding 44 will be two-thirdsohm, at the three-quarter way point the value of the shunt on winding 44 will be two-fifths ohm aiid'so on until the carwheel reaches the-right -cnd of the track section when the shunt on Vwinding 44 can be considered to j sponsive increase in brilliancy Vas thetrain proceeded through said tracksection, but l be `a short-circuit, in other words, it may be expressed that the variation follows aA curved line law with an increasing rate of change.

Comparing the case with and without bond 13` `we find that the variation in value, while100% for the track section in'each case, is differently distributed-a uniform variationnobtaining "throughout the sectionl trackcircuit to prevent an Vwithout the bond',l 13 and'` a non-uniilorin variation withthe bond. 13 which acts to bunch the. variation-the rate being greater as the car-wheel shunt approaches the bond 'and' since the amount oi!k current flowing.-

through winding 47 for variably influencing indication device lamp 42 depends; on the variationof car-wheel shunt value on winding 44it will be clear that bond 13 acts as a ballast element 'to characteristically -vary the current supplied to said indication device lamp 4:2, in fact, aballast element may be connected, atV any point', between track'rails 6 and 7 or between wires 1Q and 11 or between wires45 and 4G: tor suitably'variahl-y affecting the current supply to indication device 42 as the car-wheel. shunt proceeds through the track section, but I wish it to be understood that, said ballast element in the form and location of hond 13 o r elsewhere may `herus'ed or omittedwithout. departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Obviously, the va-lues used in the above example kare simply illustrative and arey given only for the purpose of clearly describing the ballasteiifect of bond 13.

Resistance 12 is an element included in the energy supply circuit of the wellknown Ag. C. excessive flow of current fromy transformer wheel shunt is on the track ,rails at the point where said transformer 9 is connected to the track rails and since said resistance acts to Vlimit the flow of current from said trans? ormer 9 to said track rails and car Wheel shunt transformer 9 immediately becomes available as a source of energy supply for the train indication system. ance 12 also performs the function of limiting the flow of current, induced into windl ing 44 by winding 47 (under the conditions herei'nbei'ore explained) Y through transformer 9 and winding 47 and thus transformer 9 is limited in value as apath for said induced current and, therefore has less elfect on the indication system after said induced current begins to flow from winding 44. Y- 4 Hereinbeiiorc, for the Vpurpose of clearly describing my invention only, have explained that the indication device laiiip'42, though always energized, did not receive enough energy to, even slightly, illuminate said lamp when said track section wasunoccupied and that, as said train entered said track section, said lamp would be illuminated and with re` desire it to be understood that said lamp may be nominallypartially lighted when Vthetrack section is unoccupied, and then increase in .brilliancy in synchronisniwith the appearyance and progress ot the train throughthe Y track section.

9 when the car Said resist- :Lacassel and the other winding connected to said source, and an indication device included in the circuit with one. ot said windings, said device synchronously,indicating the presence and movement ot a train on said track circuit.

3. .in al train indication system, a track' circuit including a source oif energy, a circuit including` a windingand an indication device receiving current from said source,

and a winding in inductive relation to said nected to said source, and indication means included in the circuit with one ot said windings, the other of said windings being connected in parallel with said track circuit, said means synchronously indicating the presence and movement of a train on said tra-ck circuit. Y

' 5. In a train indication system, a track circuit including a. source of energy, two windings in inductive relation to each other and connected to saidtrack circuit, both of said windings at times carrying currents in the saine time phase relation, one ot said windings at timescarrying current induced therein by the other of said windings, and an indication device responsive to increased current y iiow in one ot said windings, said increased current flow and the change between said times being effected by a car-wheel shunt on said track circuit. y

6. in a train indication system, a track circuit including aI source oi energy, two windings in inductive relation to each other and connected to said source, said windings at times mutually acting to retard the ilow of current in each other and at times mutually acting to increase the low oiu current in each other, and an indication device responsive to said currents included in the circuitwith one ot' said windings, the change between said times being eifected by a car-wheel shunt on said track circuit, one. of said windings connected in parallel with said track circuit.

7. ln a train indication system, a track cir` cuit including` a. source of energy, two windingsininductive relation to each other and connected to said source, saidwindings times mutually assisting to retard the tiowot current in each other and at times mutually assisting to increase the flow ot current in each otl'ier,.the change between said retard effect and said increase eiifect bei ng initiated by a car wheel shunt on said track circuit,

cuit, said indication device and a device responsive to' indicate said change, one of said windings being connected in parallel wit-h said track circuit.

8. In a train indication system, a track circuit including a source ot' energy, al resistance connected in said energy supply tofsaid track circuit, a winding and an indication device connected inseries to said source, and a winding in inductive relation to the iirst mentioned winding, the second mentioned windingvconnected in multiple with the track rail portion ot said track circuit and adapted to be shunted by afcar on said track circ-uit, said device synchronously indicating the presence andniovein-ent oi a train on said track circuit.

9( ln a train indication system, a track circuit including a. source ot energy, a winding and an indication device connected in series and at times receiving variable quantities ot current troni said source, and a winding in inductive relation to the iirst mentioned winding and at times acting to oppose currrent flow in the iirst mentioned winding, the secondV mentioned windingl connect-ed to said track circuit and adapted to be sliunted by car wheels onrsaid track circuit,l said car wheels'influencing t-he current iiow to said indication device, said device synchronously indicating the presence and movement-ot a train on said track circuit.

l0. in a train indication system, a track circuit including a source ofenergy, a` winding and an indication device receiving current irom saidsource, and a winding in inductive rela-tion to the tirst mentioned winding and capable at times oi inodifyingthe characteristic flow ci' current to saidr indication device, both windings adapted to be shunted by a train on said track circuit to modify said characteris 'c cu qrent tiow.

1l. ln a train indication system, a track circuit including a source ot energy and adapted to be shuntcd by a train, a winding and an indication device receivingcurrent trom said source, and a winding in inductive relation to the iirst mentioned winding and adapted to be shunted by .said train, said train shunt having various values oit shimt eitcct on said second mentioned winding dependent-.upon the` position ot said trainen said track cir'- syn chronou sl y responsive to variations in enci 'y iiow in said track circuit due to tain movement on said rack circuit. Q e

l2. ln a train controlled signal system, a track circuit including a source. of energy, a track relay vtor controlling a block signalsysteni connected to said track circuit and receivies Yconnected in multiple with the track raile1 ol on said track circuit independent of the current supplied to the track circuit for track relay operation.

13. In a train controlled signal system, a track circuit including a source ot energy, a resistance connected in series in the energy supply to said track circuit, one Winding oi:l an inductive couplingconnected to said source, the other winding of said inductive coupling' connected in inultiple with the track rails ot Said .rack circuit, an indication device included in Series with the tiret n'ientioned winding', and a ballast element in multiple connection with said track circuit.

1t. in a train controlled signal system, a track circuit including a Source oit energy, a rcsietance coni'iected in series in the energy supply to said track circuit, one: winding of an inductive coupling connected to said source, the other Wii'idinev of Said inductive coupling' said track circuit, an indication device included in series with the iirst nienti cned Winding, and a plurality ot ballaet elements in niultiple connection with eaid track circuit.

15. In a train controlled Signal fvoten'i, a track circuit including' a source -o't energg'ig a resistance connected in series in the energy supply to said track circuit? one Winding;l of an inductive coupling connected to said source, the other Winding` of said inductive coupling' connected in multiple with the track rails of said track circuit7 an indication device included in series with the irst mentioned v-.f'inding and a ballast element in multiple connection with said track circuit, said haln last eleinent providing a non-uniform variation in current supply to said device as a train proceeds over Said track circuit.

16. ln a train indication system, a track circuit includingv a source of energy adapted to be sluinted by a train, a resistance connected in series with the .Ciource ot e orgy, a cir cuit incl riding a winding` of tivo transformers receiving energy from said Source, the other Winding of one traniitornier connect-ed in inuitiple with the track rail part ot' said track circuit and adapted to he short-circuited by a train, and the other uf'inding ot the other transformer inductively coupled to an indieating` device, tor indicating the presence and movement oit a train on said track circuit.

17. ln a train controlled railway signal system, a track circuit including' a source of alternating current energy supply connected to one end of said track circuit, a resista-nce connected in series with said source ot' energy supply7 the secondary winding' oi a transformer connected to the t ack circuitbetween said resistance and the track rail part ot said track circuit and adapted to he shunted by a train on said track circuiti. and a circuit including the primary winding ot' said transiioriner and a signal device connected in n'iulnegarse tiple with Said Source ot energy between said resistance and said source ol' energy.

18. ln a train controlled railway signal system, a track circuit i cluding source oi alternating current supply connected to one end ot" said track circuit, a resistance connected in series with said source or' current sup ply, the priinary windings ot tivo transformers connected in series and connected to said source between said source and said rcsietance, the secondary winding` et one of said transforme s connected to the track circuit. between said resistance and the track rail part ot said track circuit and adapted to be shunt* ed by a train on said track circuit, and the other winding et the other tinnsi'oriner ini tivciy coupled to an indicating device.

19. in a train controlled railway Hicjual eyatcin, a track circuit including a source of energy there/torA` av Signal device adapted to receive energy troni said sonrcej and a circuit controller tor pre/riding train control of said device, said controllo i con'iprising two inductive couplings? one winding ot one inductive coupling bridged across the rails of said track circuitand acting as a choke coil to restrict current tloiv in the other inductivo coupling when said track circuit is not occupied by a train and to perinit increased current lion7 tiirougggh Said other inductive coupling when Said track circuit is occupied by a train. 20. iin a train controlled railway signal system, a track circuit including` a Source ot energy therefor, a signal device adapted to re ceive energy frein said source and a circuit controller ttor providingY train control of said device, said controller comprising,- two inductive couplings, one Winding); of one inductive couplingI bridged across the rails of eaid` track circuit and acting` as a choke coil to restrict current loiv in the other inductive coupling' When Said track circuit is not occupied. by a train and to perinit increased current tloW through said other inductive coupling` when said track circuit ie occupied by a train. Said increased. current lflow havingb a. i' '.alile value according' au the train occupice one pouition or another on Said track circuit.

21. lu a train controlled railway signal syateni, aY track circuit incl riding a source o'l" energy therefor, an indication 'receiver device. and an indication transmitter coinpriaed ol two inductive couplings, one inductive coupling connected to said track circuit and arranged to act a choke coil toA restrict energy flow from said Source through Said other coupling, for controlling said Y.indication device unless said track circuit .is short circuited.

22. ln a` train controlled railway sigijnal system, a track circuit including a source olf energy therefor5 an indication receiver 4iflcvice, and an indication transmitter comprised ot two inductive coupliugd one inductive coupling connected to said track circuit and arranged to act as a choke coil to restrict energ7 llow from said source to said other coupling, tor controlling said indication de-r vice3 unless rsaidtrack circuit is short-circuited.

23. in a train controlled railway signal system, a track circuit including a source of energy therefor, an indication receiver device, and an indication transmitter' comprised ot two inductive couplings, one inductive coupling connected to said track circuit and arranged to act as a. choke coil to restrict current flow 'therethrough when sai-d track cir cuit is not occupied. by a train and to assist current tiow therethrough when said track circuit is occupied by a train tor controlling said receiver device.

2i. ln a train controlled railway signal system, a track circuit including a source of energy, a. circuit including a winding or two inductive couplings receiving encrg,7 troni said source, a signal device receiving induced current troni one of said inductive couplings, and a. circuit connected in multiple with the track rail portion of said track circuit and inductively related to the secon-d mentioned circuit, tor restricting energytlow to said signal 'device when said track circuit is not shuutcd. t

ln a train controlled railway signal system, a track circuit including source oit crei y a circuit including a winding of vtwo inductive couplings receiving energy from said source, a signal device receiving induce-d energy :troni one ot said inductive couplings, and a circuit connected in innltiple with the track rail portion of said track circuit and inductively related to the second mentioned circuit, ior restricting energy flow to said signal device when said track circuit is not slninted and for increasing the energy iiow to said signal device when said track circuit is sluinted.

52,6. ln a vtrain controlled railway signal system, a track circuit including a source ot energy, a circuit including` a winding oi two inductive couplings receiving` energy from said source, a. signal device receiving induced energy from one of said inductive couplings, anda circuit connected in multiple with the track rail portion of sai-d track circuit and `inductively related to the second mentioned windings, one ci' said windings connected in Y parallel with the track circuit ot' a railway signal system, and the other ot' said windings included in a circuit with a source oi energy and a signal device, said windings at times co-operatingto restrict the flow of energy to said signal device when the track rails are not shunted, and said windings co-operating to increase the flow of energy to said signal device when said track rails are shunted, said device arranged to he inoperative when said track circuit is not occupied by a train and to 1ce synchronously operative when said track circuit is occupied by a train.

Q8. A train indication'systein comprised of a section et railway track, a source of energy, transiioriners'tor supplying said energy to said track at a plurality ot points,

impedance bonds connecting the rails of said track at and between the points of energy supply, and means inductively coupled to a circuit which is connected in parallel with said bon-ds for utilizing said energy to indi cate the presence and movement of a trainen said section of railway track.

Signed at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York this 28th day of May, A. D. 1925.

GlLBERT C. YVHITNEY. 

